Liquid distributing apparatus



.June 18, l bili c. v. DAME l LIQUID DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS Filed May 26,1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 @MM @@J C. V. DAME LIQ-UID DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS Flled May 26, 1938 @y 3 C. V. DAME LIQUID DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS Filed May 26, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 lift@ l? Patented June 18, 1940 UNITED stares @ATENE OFFiCE 5 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in liquid distributing apparatus and particularly to water distributing apparatus for supplying Water to live stock drinking tanks or troughs.

One object of the invention is to provide apparatus for effecting the automatic distribution of water from a source of supply to Water tanks, such as a drinking tank or tanks, and to a reservoir, whereby the drinking tanks will be supplied normally only With fresh Water while the water of the reservoir will be utilized for drinking purposes only in case of temporary interruption of the supply of fresh Water, and for insulating the fresh Water in thev drinking' tanks against the heat of summer and the cold of winter.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a distribution system comprising a reservoir which receives the fresh Water delivered by .water supply means at times not required by the animals and which supp-lies the drinking tanks with water upon the temporary interruption of the fresh Water supply or temporary inadequacy thereof, the arrangement being such that the reservoir water cannot be contaminated by the drinking tanks.

Another object of the invention is to provide distributing apparatus adapted to effect distribution of water to a plurality of drinking tanks for segregated groups of animals, in accordance with the present practice followed frequently at inspected dairy farms when the milch cows, for example, are not permitted to drink from tanks accessible to other farm animals.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide distribution apparatus comprising one or more fresh water receiving tanks or receptacles from which Water is supplied as required in replenishing the tanks or troughs accessible to segregated groups of animals, means preferably being provided for heating the water during transit to certain of the drinking troughs during cold weather when desired.

Other objects of the invention relate to various features of construction and arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, largely in longitudinal section, through apparatus illustrative of the present improvements;

Fig. 2v is a partially top plan View and partially in section taken on line 2--2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged Vertical sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1

Fig. 4 is a brok-en sectional view corresponding taken on line 'I-I of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section-taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 2.

In the drawings Il! indicates a relatively large tank or reservoir adapted to hold a reserve supply of Water for use only in the event of interruption of a supply of fresh water as needed for replenishing the Water troughs or tanks from which the animals drink. For the'purpose of illustration. there are shown two such drinking tanks II and I2 within the reservoir Ill'(see Fig. 2). In one end of the reservoir is a fresh water receiving receptacle indicated Igenerally by numeral I3 provided, in the embodiment illustrated, with two compartments I4 and I 5 separated by a common partition I6.

A fresh water supply pipe I'I (see Fig. 1) conducts water from a power operated pump (not shown) to the compartment or chamber I4, the pipe II preferably communicating with a vertical pipe I open at its lower end whereby the fresh water will be discharged into the lower portion of the compartment I4. In the front wall Illa, of compartment I4 is a discharge port I9 through which water may flow from the compartment into a distribution chamber 20 attached to the wall Ma. From the chamber 20 water is distributed by automatically operated means to the drinking tanks II and l2 inaccordance with the requirements of the groups of animals to which the tanks II and I2 respectively are accessible, for example milch cows and horses or other segregated groups.

The distributing means mentioned comprises preferably a pair of axially alined rock shafts 2|, 2id having a common bearing 22 at their adjacent ends as sho-wn in Figs. 2, 3, and 4. 'Ihe other ends of the shafts are connected respectively to rockable conduits indicated generally by numerals 23 and 24, each journaled in an adjacent end wall of the receptacle 20 and comprising an angularly disposed intake 23a, 24a, an outlet end 23D, 24h, and an intermediate open trough-like Packing or gasketsv not shown may be employed to prevent leakage around the conduits 23 and 24 where the same extend through the receptacle side walls. The outlet or discharge portions 23h.

receptacle 23o, 24C', respectively.

Zlib are shown as provided with yoke-like supports 23d, Edd, respectively, which carry stub shafts 23e, 2de extending through supporting brackets 2312 241] attached to the receptacle 20. The outer ends of the stub shafts 23e, 24e are provided with crank arms 25, 25 connected with which are links 2i' and 2B, respectively, The links are connected to bell crank levers 29, 3G which support floats 3l located in the respective tanks iE and The floats preferably are provided with guards 32 hingedly or otherwise movably connected to the respective tank as at 33 to provide for convenient access to the interior. The guards 32 prevent the animals from interfering with the operation of the oats.

A pair of ducts 34, 3A having enlarged ends 35, 35 located beneath the outer ends of conduits 23 and 2li conduct water from the latter to the tanks H and l2 whenever the level of the water in the tanks is below a predetermined level. The floats 3| by means of the bell crank and link mechanism described above are adapted to oscillate the respective conduits 23 and 26 from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the position shown in Fig. 3 or vice versa. As shown in Fig. 4, the angular intake ends 23a, 26a are horizontal due to the lowering of water in the tanks Il and l2 and consequent lowering of the floats 3| whereby water in the receptacle 2B can ow through the conduits to the respective tanks to replenish the supply therein. If one tank only requires replenishment, the conduit serving that tank only will be turned to the position shown in Fig. 4 and as the water level in the tank rises, the float will move the conduit to or toward the position shown in Fig. 3. When the angular intakes (23a, Ella are horizontally disposed as shown in Fig. Il, due to lowering of the water in the respective tanks, as will be the case when several animals are drinking or have drunk from the tanks, a greater portion of the water in the chamber 20 can escape through the conduits than where the members 23a, 25a are in the upright position of Fig. 3 or any intermediate position.

When water from the source of supply is ilowing during replenishment of a tank or tanks, the fresh incoming water will of course ow through the conduits 23a, Ella to the tanks if such conduits are in a non-vertical position, but as the level in a tank or both tanks rises to the maximum, the respective conduits will be oscillated by the float mechanism to the position shown in Fig. 3 wherein the open trough portions 23e, 24o thereof are so tilted that the water owing through the conduits will be discharged, not into the drinking tanks il or l2, but into the reservoir lil. Thus fresh water entering the system through pipe il' during periods when the tanks il, l?! are full may be discharged into the reservoir, thereby building up a reserve supply of Water which not only insulates the tanks Il and l2 against the heat of summer and the cold of winter, but is available for drinking purposes should the supply of fresh water through pipe Il be interrupted at a time the water in the tanks il and HZ, or either of them, drops to a predetermined level. By the arrangement described, no water that reaches a drinking tank Il or l2 is returned or overflows into the reservoir lil and hence there is avoided any likelihood of contaminating the reservoir water which may be distributed to the drinking tanks.

For the purpose of diverting water from the reservoir i@ to the tanks Il and i2 or either of them upon interruption of or insuficient ow of Water through pipe Il at a time When the level of water in the tanks or tank has dropped below a predetermined level, the tanks Il and i2 are provided with passages 36 each in an end wall of the respective tank and provided with suitable valves such as the hinged valves 36a (see Fig. l). Thus, should the water in a tank Ii or I2 recede to a level below that of the water in the reser- Voir, the pressure on the valve 35a on the reservoir side thereof will exceed the pressure on the tank side and cooler water from the lower portion of the reservoir will flow through the passage 36 into the tank to raise the level to that of the reservoir. Normally the valves will be retained in closed position by the excess pressure head in the respective tanks il and I2 even should several animals drink at one time from the tanks due to the lowering of the angular intakes 23a, 2da, and rendering available for re plenishment of the tanks the major portion of the water in the chamber 2li.

Regardless of whether the water which flows into either tank li or l2 is fresh water from the chamber 2G or water from the reservoir l, it will be water to which no other group of animals has had access since the top of the reservoir preferably is provided with a cover Illa which prevents drinking directly from the reservoir and protects the Water therein from contamination from other sources.

The above described features of the invention are thus of distinct advantage in maintaining a supply ol water in drinking tanks such as tanks ll and l2, but additional drinking tanks or troughs may also be supplied with water from the receiving tank i3 and the water flow to such additional troughs may be selectively or separately conditioned or treated as may be found desirable by the apparatus shown.

Thus in Figs. 1, 2, 6, 7, and 8 are shown means for transferring water from the receiving tank l5 to troughs 3l, 38, access to which may be had by two additional groups of segregated animals, for example, such as hogs, or hogs and sheep.

In Fig. l it will be noted that partition IG is provided with a threaded conduit 39 through which, when the conduit is open, water can flow from compartment ifi into compartment l5. A threaded pipe G is shown in. Fig. 1 by means of which such inter-communication can be interrupted, but where water is to be supplied to both troughs or tanlm 37 and 3S, the pipe 46 is removed, whereby the tank compartment I5 functions also in effecting selective distribution of the water.

In compartment I4 is a pipe Ill open at the lower end and closed at the upper end normally by a screw cap fila. A pipe 42 extends from the pipe 4l, below the normal water level therein, into a warm water tank 43, through the lower end thereof and to a float valve 44 (see Figs. 7 and 8) located in the trough or tank 3l. The valve comprises a oat Illia, a stem Mb, guided by a sleeve @llc carried in the end of a tubular ported support Md with the lower open end of which a valve closure member ille cooperates to prevent entrance of water into the trough 3l when the latter is filled to the desired level, as illustrated in Fig. 8. The float valve mechanism is protected from ldamage by the animals by a removable shield Ulf which is provided with water exit openings 44g.

In the distributing tank I5 a pipe 45 is provided (corresponding to pipe 6|), having a cap a at the upper end above the level of the water.

as determined by the outlet I9, and communicates with a pipe 46 at a point below the water level of the tank I5. Pipe 46 corresponds to pipe 42 and likewise `preferably extends into the side of tank 43 and through the lower end thereof and thence to the trough 38. A float valve 44', corresponding to oat valve 44, controls the level of the liquid in the trough 38, the valve having portions 44a, 44b, l44c, 44d, 44e, 44f, 44'!! corresponding to elements 44a to 44g respectively of valve 44. f

`The troughs 31, 38 are located at levels below the level of the water in the tanks I4 and I5 and preferably belowy the normal level in the reservoir I0, as illustrated in Fig. l, so the transfer or distribution of water to the troughs can be effected by siphonic action.` The pipes 42 and 46, in addition to the valved outlets 44 and 44' above mentioned, are provided with threaded outlets 42a, 46a also which communicate with compartments 43a, 43h of the tank 43, a partition or wall 48 being provided to divide the tank 43. The threaded outlets 42a, 46a are adapted to be closed by means of plugs, such as the plug 49 shown in Fig. 1 in elevated or non-closing position. By this arrangement water from the pipes 42 and 46 can be directed into heating compartments 42a, 46a, respectively, as desired.

In Fig. 6 the pipe 45 is shown as provided with a closure member 41 at its lower end, said member being cup-shaped and provided with a gasket 41a which seals the lower end of the pipe when the cup is raised to the position shown in said figure by means of a wire handle 41h which extends upwardly to or adjacent the top of tank I 5. If the plug 43 of the outlet is in closing position and valve 44 is closed, as by pouring sufficient water in tank 31 to raise the float 44a or by other means, and the member 41 is elevated, water can be poured into the pipe 45, after removing the cap 45a, to fill the pipes 45 and 46. Thereupon, the cap can be replaced to seal the upper end of the pipe and the member 41 again lowered to normal position. Water will then flow through the pipe 4B siphonically whenever the iioat valve 44 is opened. If the plug 49 is removed, water can also f'low into compartment 43a.

The pipe 4I also is provided with closure means for the lower end of the type shown in Fig. 6, such closure members being omitted from Fig. l for the purpose of avoiding confusion in details in said figure.

The outlet 42a of compartment 43h may be closed when desired by the plug 49 or a similar plug provided for that purpose in starting the siphonic ow through pipe 42 from tank I4 to the trough 38 or when no water is to be diverted to the compartment 43h.

The tank 43 preferably is enclosed in a shell or casing 50 having a suitable supporting frame 5I. Within the base 58a of the casing 50 and beneath the tank 43 is a heater for heating the tank water during cold weather. The heater 52 may be of any suitable type, such as kerosene burners 52a, 52h, one under each tank compartment. The gases and products of combustion pass upwardly around the tank 43, through fiue 53 (through which the pipes 42 and 46 extend) and exhaust through the stack 54.

The water flowing through the pipes 42, 46 to the respective tanks 31, 38, will be heated not only by gases in the ue 53, but by conduction from the heated water in the tank 43 when the respective burners are in operation.

By the arrangement shown, cold or warmed water or other liquid can be supplied to the troughs 31, 38 selectively and if desired medicinal preparation may be placed in the water of tank I5 for the animals drinking from trough 31, while untreated water is supplied to trough'38. Likewise milk or other liquid may be supplied to tank I5 for distribution to trough 31 `if desired.

By the present arrangement of distribution several segregated groups of animals can be supplied with water which is protected from` contamination by other groups, the supplied water coming from one common source, as by the pipe I1,- or from the reservoir I0 should the supply from pipe I1 be temporarily interrupted. rThe distribution of the water is effected automatically and in accordance with the requirements of the several animal groups, thus saving time and labor in the performance of such chores. Should the normal supply of fresh water be interrupted and the water in the tanks I4 and I5 be lowered below the level of the water in the reservoir, the check valve I4b in the wall of the tank I4a will be opened and water from the reservoir will pass into the tanks I4, I5 for distribution to the tanks 31 and 33. Should the level of the water in the tanks I4 and I5 recede below the lower ends of pipes 4I and 45, the siphonic action will be interrupted and will require restarting as above described.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of the improvements, I do not wish to be restricted specifically thereto as various changes in details and arrangement can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim: e

1. Water distributing apparatus comprising a reservoir, a drinking tank, a movable conduit having outlets arranged for non-simultaneousl discharge of water for supplying water to the tank when the same is below a predetermined level and diverting water to the reservoir when the water in the tank reaches such level, and means operable by the water in the tank for moving said conduit for rendering operative one or the other of said outlets.

2. Water distributing apparatus comprising a reservoir, a plurality of drinking tanks associated therewith, water supply means, means comprising movable conduits each having a pair of outlets arranged for non-simultaneous discharge of water into said reservoir and into onev of said tanks, and means associated with each tank and controlled by the water level therein for moving the respective conduit for rendering operative one or the other of the outlets thereof.

3. Waterdistributing apparatus comprising water supply means, a receptacle for receiving water therefrom, a drinking tank, a reservoir, a rockable conduit comprising an inlet within said receptacle and an outlet at'the outer end for discharging water into said tank and an intermediate lateral outlet for discharging water into said reservoir, and means controlled by the water level of said tank for rocking said conduit in a direction to lower said lateral outlet to effect discharge of water'through the same into said reservoir when the water in the tank is at a predetermined level and in the opposite direction to elevate said lateral outlet to effect discharge of water from said receptacle into said tank when u the water therein is below said predetermined level.

4. Water distributing apparatus comprising a water receiving receptacle, a plurality of drinking tanks, a reservoir associated therewith, rockable conduits extending from said receptacle for directing water to each of said tanks when the water therein is below a predetermined level, said conduits each comprising a laterally disposed inlet within said receptacle and an intermediate lateral discharge outlet located exteriorly of said receptacle for discharging water into said reservoir when the water in the respective tank is above said predetermined level, the arrangement of the lateral inlet and lateral outlet of each conduit being such that the portion of the water in the receptacle available for replenishing the respective tanks is in excess of the water available in the receptacle for discharge into the reservoir whenever the water in a tank or tanks is below said predetermined level, and means operable by the level of the water in said tanks for rocking the corresponding conduits for controlling the ow of water to the tanks.

5. Water distributing apparatus comprising a water receiving tank, a plurality of drinking troughs, siphon conduits providing communication between said receiving tank and said troughs, a water heating tank provided with compartments with each of which one of said conduits communicates for supplying water to the heating compartments and to the respective troughs, and means for applying heat to said compartments and to said conduits.

CHARLES VANCE DAME. 

